So this is what I'm working with...(W/PICS)

diet103

Well-Known Member
So I finally found the perfect grow area!! I found an old fridge in my shed and cleaned it out. It's designed with the freezer on bottom (which is relatively spacious for a freezer) which is about 2 1/2 ft across, a little under 2 feet high and about 2-2 1/2 feet deep. I am thinking about doing my veg in there with cfl's. The top is very spacious, about 2 1/2 feet across, about 3 feet high and a little deeper.

Is this too big for a 150w hps or should I go with the 250w? or 2 150w's?? I'm not all too worried about heat problems as I will only be using this during the winter abd my room is an outdoor cabin type thing and I can cool it down very quickly when the weather changes!

I also cut a hole in the side of the fridge for the 4 inch computer fan (100 cfm enough for this??) that I ordered off ebay for 10 bucks. I'm still debating on where an intake should go (Or weather I need one?? I think this fridge has a vent to outside already, but I'm not sure)

The inside is already a very nice white so no painting! But one question, would mylar work better at reflecting?

All advice, answers, and comments are welcome!!!
 

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Intense

Member
i tryed growing in a fridge but didnt turn out soo great the temperature was getting really hot due to the insulation of the fridge.
 

diet103

Well-Known Member
i tryed growing in a fridge but didnt turn out soo great the temperature was getting really hot due to the insulation of the fridge.
did you have intake and exhaust coming out of it??? Plus it will be winter when I grow in this so I'm not worrying about this as much.
 

diet103

Well-Known Member
I also have another question! I think I've decided (By research, no help from anyone here apparently) to go with the 250w hps since these are the yields I am looking for. But I have a choice between the compact 250w sun system or the 250w with a xl hood and remote ballast. The sun system is air-cooled, so would this add unwanted heat to an already cramped grow area?
 

Intense

Member
Bro i had an industrial size exhaust and im telling u man to much inuslation in the fridge, its ment to hold the air temperature.
 

newb19547

Well-Known Member
Another thing with a small space like that....you would probably NEED a cooltube to even have chance with the heat.
 

AquafinaOrbit

Well-Known Member
Yeah. Basically your only chance is a cooltube or sealed reflector that vents directly outside because 3 feet with an HID is nothing considering the HID unsealed will need to be some 16" away. If it were me I'd cut about 4 holes, 2 intake 2 outake, 2 of which would go to the cooltube and the other two to general ventilation. With outside tempatures dropping fast though the room could then grow to cold and freeze the plants, which would be just as bad as burning them.
 

diet103

Well-Known Member
Yeah. Basically your only chance is a cooltube or sealed reflector that vents directly outside because 3 feet with an HID is nothing considering the HID unsealed will need to be some 16" away. If it were me I'd cut about 4 holes, 2 intake 2 outake, 2 of which would go to the cooltube and the other two to general ventilation. With outside tempatures dropping fast though the room could then grow to cold and freeze the plants, which would be just as bad as burning them.
So do you think a 250 is too much for this area? Would a 150 do better for it?

Your ventilation advice gave me an idea as I have an old fireplace in the corner of the room that I don't use and I could use the chimney as the exhaust!
Edit: But now that I think about it, if I have a good enough exhaust on the thing it wouldn't really affect my room temp. (Read Below)

Oh and I live in this room so the temperature wouldnt be dropping lower than 65 degrees. Which is the temp I usually keep my room at in the winter. I'm sure this will help with the temps as long as I have a good intake/outake system.

Thanks for the advice guys!!:clap:

P.S. Any good links on how to build a good cool tube exhaust system? OR maybe a cheap one I can purchase?
 

AquafinaOrbit

Well-Known Member
I think the 150Watt/250Watt question all comes down to what your willing to do for ventillation. Heres an image of the room because I can't seem to describe it in words.

http://img525.imageshack.us/i/36543620.png/

The chamber intakes are staggered to help the air of the entire chamber be replaced not just a straight line where the holes are, and the vents are crooked like that to help stop light from getting in the vents. If heat is still an issue then the best option would be to just install a blow hole in the top with a powerful fan. Beyond that the blue line is a screen because plant height will probably be an issue in a space like this.
 
Bro i had an industrial size exhaust and im telling u man to much inuslation in the fridge, its ment to hold the air temperature.
exactly.. Its gonna get way too hot..Unless your gonna pump cold air into the fridge .hmmm.. Does it ( the fridge ) still work? OMG now THAT would be sweet!! Use a WORKING fridge and let it stay cool inside.
 
cut the section that seperates the freezer from the fridge and i woul put some aliminuim foil at the top to reflect and sides this way your side buds dont have to grow striaght out and up
 
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